In a time of manufactured beauty, Jana Hunter stands out as a champion of homegrown Texas lo-fi. Her initial success has been, for the most part, due to her earlier releases with the hairy godfather of the “freak-folk” genre–Devendra Banhart. But she shouldn’t be confused, despite her associations, as being like Banhart–whose sound is a bit more free-wheeling. You know, the type of stuff you might want to dance to after kicking back a few over the weekend
Jana Hunters music, in polar contrast, is stripped down of many of the acoustical pony tricks and slowed to the point of a lamenting drawl. The barren and haunting feelings produced by the songs of her first full length album Blank Unstaring Heirs of Doom, are further emphasized by her hesitant and meek approach to the songs themselves. This album was mostly recorded in a variety of fidelities–from cassette tapes to laptops. She simply recorded on whatever was handy when inspiration hit. Her second and more recent album titled There’s No Home, is recorded in a more professional setting and introduces a much more confident artist in terms of the songs and their presentation. However, I still have trouble deciding which style of hers I’m more keen to.
This all to say… I think she’s pretty spectacular. I hope you do too. Check her out.
First off just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving Day. It’s been along day of preparation, cooking and celebrating the many things we have to be thankful for.
I was checking some emails and getting ready to wind down for bed when I stumbled upon this very cool website and thought I would share it with you all. Here’s a little about the Songza
Where Does Songza Come from?
Songza is the brainchild of 23-year-old Aza Raskin — the president of Chicago-based software company Humanized, Inc., and the son of Apple Macintosh founder Jef Raskin. Over the course of a month, he and Humanized’s Web/Systems Architect Scott Robbin worked weekends to bring the idea to life. The site launched on November 8, 2007 and instantly generated significant buzz around the world. Hundreds of bloggers and news writers have praised its elegant user interface, beautiful design, and all-around utility.
Like all good ideas, both the concept and design came to Aza while he was in the shower.
I thought I’d try it out with who else but Ray LaMontagne. He is simply amazing, hearing this song just reminds me of how much I miss seeing him perform. I can’t wait until he starts touring in the states again.
Here’s a link to You Are The Best Thing. This site gives you the option to create a playlist, share the song, view it on youtube or embed it on your own site. I thought it was pretty cool, hope you all enjoy it as well.
Vic has been making albums since around 1990 but i first heard of him when he used Lambchop as his backing band for the album ‘The salesman and bernadette’ in 1998.
Have just got his new album ‘North star deserter’. for me his best work to date. The first song ‘Warm’ is enough to bring a tear to a glass eye but the whole album is just superb !
For those who don’t know Of the genius who is Vic Chesnutt he has been wheelchair bound since a car accident when he was drink driving back in 83. Has had all sorts of drug/drink/mental health problems and admittedly some of this has come through in his writing throughout his career especially in the album ‘drunk’ when he was exactly that when he made it.But often his songs are very witty too and quite dark at the same time.
He is one of todays most ambitious,heartfelt,witty and certainly challenging songwriters but if you don’t want to go through his back catalogue then get his latest album, his finest i think.
Saw him perform on Saturday night and what a fantastic night it was.Started off with the brilliant ‘Everything i say’ from his latest album ;North star deserter’.His backing band included members of God speed you black emperor, fugazi and The silver Mt Zion !! I mean, How good?
At times he would be grabbing the wheel of his wheelchair as if trying to get out of it and stand up to scream his lyrics !!
Also he is a very funny man, bantering with the audience as well as thanking us all for coming and how appreciative he was. If you get the chance to see him play, do it. You wil not be disappointed i assure you. At times screaming guitars,Heavy bass lines, screaming out lyrics as if his life depended on it and other times the mosy subtle smooth sound of just himself,his lil acouistic guitar and a double bass and his sweet voice. His version of ‘warm’ done in that style was just amazing. I managed to capture ‘warm’ and below is the evidence.
It was like listening to the Brilliant Lambchop with a mixture of Vics current band members, God speed etc.Just an amazing live performance.
One of the gigs of my life.
It’s very difficult to give you an impression of his ’sound’ with just two mp3’s so i urge you just to buy his albums. However, here is a superb track form his latest album called ‘everything i say’ a song they opened with on Saturday, a song that probably deserves a few listens to really appreciate it and then to show his softer side a song from his album ‘Drunk’ called ‘Dodge’
Immediately after streaming his first full length album from his website, I went out and bought Joshua James previous two EP’s including ‘B-Sides It’s Dark Outside’ and ‘Fields & Floods’ right from his myspace page released this past February.
‘Fields & Floods‘ is a collection of traditional Christmas songs - which I have to confess are far to much for my mood. Not only because we were in February, but especially because I don’t like Xmas songs. The only one song I came to appreciated was ‘O Tannenbaum’. Tastes and colours… anyway, when sung with the proper accent ‘O Tannenbaum’ is a really great tune : what a satisfaction to watch children’s eyes full of joy - things can spoil if those afore mentioned kids decided to sing it along with you - so be careful, do not repeat the chorus too many times ! Sure you’ll pardon me with my interlude - experiences deserve the sharing…
So I’ve received an e-press release this morning from Joshua James announcing the Official release of ‘Fields & Floods’. I can’t stand those kind of marketing strategy (but who wants to listen to Xmas songs in February ?) - I have to recognize all the talent he has pushed in those intimate versions.
“This collection was recorded at my home studio from 2006 to the present. I played all of the instruments on the record including: guitar, drums, keyboards, glockenspiel, bass, banjo, mandolin, and accordion. I wanted to do the whole thing by myself to make sure that I liked all of the production on it.”
Well impressive ! More ! I have to admit that my audio player is looping regularly on a couple of these beautiful songs no matter the season - God forgives me ! One of my favorite on Fields & Floods is his version of ‘Veni Veni Emmanuel‘ which is a really old song. Couple sources dated its lyrics from the 8th century and music : 15th century French plain song melody. On Fields & Floods original release, this track is the hidden eleventh. It appears that the iTunes version contains only 7 tracks ! No better advice than to check first Joshua James website for buying this great collection including the amazing and original track : ‘Winter Storm‘ !
If you really prefer ‘O Tannenbaum’, thanks to leave this website right now !
If not, you should absolutely buy the ‘B-Sides It’s Dark Outside’ at the same time.
sb_url_to_rate = 'http://youcrazydreamers.com/2007/11/20/joshua-james-announces-fields-floods-official-release/';
sb_rated_title = 'Joshua James announces “Fields & Floods” official release';
sb_when_to_load = 'immediate';
try { sb_rated_creation = new Date(Date.parse('Tue, 20 Nov 2007 21:49:39 -0800')); } catch (e) {};
sb_categories = "Acoustic,Folk,New Album Alert,News,On iTunes,Singer Songwriter";
Second step in our French ballad : New Pretoria ! I discovered this French band in one of my recent web peregrination and to be completely honest, I still can’t believe my ears !
‘The Backyard’s Legacy‘, is this bands first full-length, self-released album. It initially came out this past January and as of the 15th of October, a wider new edition has become available at many stores, and not to mention you can also buy it on iTunes and emusic.
A deep dark baritone voice - à la Stuart Staples, guided us through varied atmospheres, referring to many dictionaries and appealing to some common background : Lynch, Morricone, Faulkner… We’re not in France anymore ! From track to track, universes and references are switching without any repetition. The density of this collection is simply amazing ! In this ten track collection New Pretoria rose to the alternative country higher places along with bands such as the Walkabouts, Tindersticks or Calexio…
We sent a couple questions to New Pretoria front-man Stéphan Lipianski.
YCD : Could you please tell us your story with music ? Stéphan : I’m some kind of music addict. I loved music even before loving good music and I loved singing even before playing an instrument (sorry for my friend’s ears for so many years !). I’m a quite poor guitar player (even if I play for 10 years now) but, hopefully, my musicians are better than me.
YCD : What did you grow up listening to ? Stéphan : It’s quite difficult for me to answer this question because it would lead me to confess shameful things. I’ve long been into Variety in a broad sense. I remember listening things such as François Feldman when I was 10. My first encounter with pop or rock music was with bands like Pink Floyd (which I still love) or Queen. I was very also found of Elton John . Later (15-16 years old) I became a great follower of the brit pop period. Pulp, Blur, Oasis, that kind of band. But around 17-18 I turned to more indie things. I remember being astonished listening to Cat Power in my bedroom. It’s a quite strong memory.
YCD : According to Syd Matters - you’re an Englishman in Paris ? Stéphan : I’m a legal alien ! He said I was some kind of Englishman in Arizona. Why not ! But that’s not the truth. I think I’m very French in my musical approach even if my influences are English or American. I don’t pretend to be American, or English. I’m just playing with words, pictures, stories from this Anglo-American culture. I’ve always loved American movies, music and literature and I think that’s where my music and my words are coming from.
YCD : Is there a particular song that you’re really proud to have written ? Stéphan : I really like Joining Jack on our first record. It’s a very simple song with very few things around. That’s maybe the only song on the record which could have been played with just an acoustic guitar and my voice. For the other songs I’m more proud of the work we’ve done together as a band.
YCD : Is there a song you wish you had written ? Stéphan : Many ones ! But I would say There is a light… by The Smiths because it’s a beautiful one and I think that I could have expressed things just as Morrissey did. It’s a very romantic and very naive song.
YCD : What’s on your stereo at the moment ? Stéphan : Proof of Youth by The Go Team. I really love that band because they’re young, they have a dirty sound, they are mixing pop, hip-hop, rhythm ‘n blues. And they have two drummers ! Cease to Begin by Band of Horses which is one of my favorite actual American band. I really like the voice and the production of the record.
YCD : Projects ? Stéphan : Too many to mention. We’re trying to promote our album (which is not very easy) and to book shows for 2008. But I also lead our own structure, French Toast : I organize show and try to help some Parisian bands to record and promote their music. Later in 2008, I think we will record a new album. Some of the songs on this one are really old ones. I hope we won’t take too much time to record new ones.
Many many moons ago my fellow blog mate Geordie sent me a few tracks from Tillman’s “Minor Works” album and I fell right in love before the 1st track was over. After that I searched out just about anything this man recorded and could get my hands on….I Will Return, Long May You Run, Documented (2006 Tour EP), Cancer and Delirium (his most recent)…readers, if there is any other J. Tillman CDs out there that I have not listed, please do inform me!
Id even go as far as saying “Minor Work” just might be one of my favorite albums of all time. What a masterpiece. In my top 15 at least. Bottom line….I love this guy. I will forever be grateful to Geordie for introducing me to the wonderfully talented Mr. Tillman. His voice puts me to sleep, and that is not meant to be an insult in any way. Sad bastard music he does so very very well and his voice just sooths me.
Tillman has posted a wonderful new track up on his myspace called “Steel on Steel” which you can listen to here. Tillman started recorded “Territory” on the 10th of this month according to his blog and it looks like this song will be on it.
I’ve never been the best writer in the world so I thought I’d copy and paste some other people’s words to describe this man’s music….they can say it better then I ever could.
A wonderfully surefooted debut (sic) packed with blood, sweat, tears and desperation” - The Word, UK [Minor Works]
“Singer/songwriter J. Tillman’s music paints languid, sadly beautiful portraits of love and life on the margins with the moody depth of Nick Drake and the country-influenced textures of Ryan Adams.” - Mark Deming, All Music Guide
“Cancer and Delirium isn’t exactly the most catchy or sexy album title, but with material this stark, beautiful, and compelling, it doesn’t matter… If this is your first time coming into contact with his sparse, breathy, and breathtaking music, all the better. Like a good wine, Tillman merely gets better with time.”- Barbara Mitchell, The Stranger
“GvsB favorite… fans of Drake or Oldham would be wise to check him out” - Gorilla vs. Bear
“Universal and personal at the same time… With his new album, J. Tillman has created some of the most beautiful/engaging songs you’re likely to hear in 2007.” - SCTAS.com [Cancer and Delirium]
This video below is also up on Tillman’s myspace, but I thought I’d post it here since Olly just made a blog post about Emily Loizeau who is singing with him in the video….and….well, because it is a beautiful song and it deserves to be seen!
One year after his first beautiful album ‘Music for Tourists‘, Chris Garneau announced the release of a new Ep called ‘C-sides’. Sorry for this short post but both Garneau’s website and Absolutely Kosher - his label, aren’t really informative…
Chris will be touring in December to promote the C-sides E.P. listing the following tracks :
Love Zombies
Blackout
The Runt
It’s Almost Christmas!
The Island Song
In the meantime, I’ve found Chris performing ‘We don’t Try ‘ in a parisian bar from La Blogothèque Takeaway Shows website.
Click here for the full ‘Takeaway Show’ including an Elliott Smith’s ‘Between the bars’ Cover.
Guest_4325 : Hi, my names Zak Smith, I don't know if you accept music submissions, but in case you do you can go to my website at zaksmithlive.com to hear some songs off it. If anyones interested in posting about any of the songs email me at «email» and I'll send some mp3s. Thanks. zaksmithlive.com to hear some I just independently released an album, feel free to post them if you want to. If you want me to send you the whole album just let me know. Also you can go to my website at zaksmithlive.com
neabbeple : "Siazno queste parole d'addio"?
questa NON ?? UNA DOMANDA...
volevo solo "esortare" a dire qual'?? la sorpresa...ma ho dovuto postare una domanda perch?? non potevo dare risposte(le ho esaurite)...
sicilianu? nu misteru...!!!
________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ____________ <a href=«link» neochat.info/>ch at</a>
Bismsaps : Altro indovinello... ????voi no?
<a href=«link» chatt-gratis.net />chat</a>
Guest_167 : I'm quite sure the version of Cucurucucu Paloma it's not sang by Caetano.
Mike2007 : Hi!
The interesting name of a site - youcrazydreamers .com how you managed to get such beautiful name of the domain?
Very interesting site though there is no couple of sections. But section this here very much even by the way.
I 6 hours wandered on a network, have not left yet íâ your forum! I think, I here shall stay for a long time!
Thanks for the info, youcrazydreamers .com!
Guest_3541 : I will be recording a new Youcrazy dreamers radio show in the coming week. watch this space
Guest_585 : That's the beauty of music. You don't have to love everyone just the one's that move "your" soul.
Guest_331 : i don't get the fuss over bon iver... what an awful song...
Guest_2370 : just stumbled across your site today. good stuff. i think you might really like the new e.p. by Tall Tales, entitled Earthling.
Guest_1410 : ok...i looved this movie too..but whats that song thats playing when they are gardening with Joses dad? its just instrumental and some ai ai ais or something..its so beautiful..i want to know what it is.
Olivier : Oups sorry All... i've deleted couple valid comments while removing a list of 500 spams !
Sam : Kevin Pawlak thought I should email you about a new EP my band is putting out. He reviewed it favorably recently. Wanted to send you the information.
All audio posted on this site is meant for sampling purposes only. If you really like what you hear, show it and support the artist - buy an album, buy some merch, got to a show. If you represent or own any media on this site and woulk like something taken down please email us, and we will take the necessary action of removing the file(s).
‘Fields & Floods‘ is a collection of traditional Christmas songs - which I have to confess are far to much for my mood. Not only because we were in February, but especially because I don’t like Xmas songs. The only one song I came to appreciated was ‘O Tannenbaum’. Tastes and colours… anyway, when sung with the proper accent ‘O Tannenbaum’ is a really great tune : what a satisfaction to watch children’s eyes full of joy - things can spoil if those afore mentioned kids decided to sing it along with you - so be careful, do not repeat the chorus too many times ! Sure you’ll pardon me with my interlude - experiences deserve the sharing…
actual American band. I really like the voice and the production of the record.
Many many moons ago my fellow blog mate 
Latest Comments
RSS